Our Most Anticipated Fantasy & Dystopian Novels

A Time to Speak (Out of Time #2) by Nadine BrandesPublisher: Enclave PublishingPublication Date: October 16, 2015

What it’s about: What happens when you live longer than you wanted to? Parvin Blackwater wanted to die, but now she’s being called to be a leader. The only problem is, no one wants to follow. The Council is using Jude’s Clock-matching invention to force “new-and-improved” Clocks on the public. Those who can’t afford one are packed into boxcars like cattle and used for the Counsel’s purposes. Parvin and Solomon team up to rescue the people. Instead, they find themselves on a cargo ship of Radicals headed out to sea. What will the Council do to them? And why are people suddenly dying before their Clocks have zeroed-out?

Why we want to read it: Beth says, “I absolutely loved the first book in the Out of Time series, A Time to Die. I am so eager to carry on with Parvin on the next leg of her adventure. By turns poignant and heartbreaking, Parvin’s story and Nadine’s way with words really struck a chord with me. I’m sure that Parvin will be getting into more trouble and more obstacles are ahead for her. I can’t wait to see what happens!”

What it’s about: Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana. Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend – the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long. Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?

Why we want to read it: Beth says, “Although I admit that I’m one book behind in this series, the good news is that once Winter is released, I can get a copy of both it and Cress (book 3) and read them both in quick succession. Marissa has taken the traditional fairy tale stories and re-created them in a cool, futuristic setting. The key elements are there to pay homage to the original stories, but the story overall is very different. The first two books in the series, Cinder and Scarlet, were such fun, engaging reads that re-told Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood.”

What it’s about: Celie and her friends and family are back in the Castle, safe and sound. But there’s still the problem of Wizard Arkwright. What do you do with an evil wizard? Especially when he escapes from his cell, but doesn’t leave the Castle! Now it’s up to Celie, with the help of her wizard brother Bran and her griffins, to track down Arkwright and get rid of him for good!

Why we want to read it: Carrie says, “As I already mentioned with Tuesdays at the Castle, Jessica Day George crafts magical stories full of whimsy and heart. Right from the beginning, the Castle itself became my favorite character (how often can you say that?), followed closely by Celie and then Lulath. The Castle Glower series reminds me of both Narnia and Harry Potter, yet has a personality all its own. I’ve followed them from Tuesdays through Thursdays, and I’ve never been more anxious for Fridays to arrive!”

What it’s about: Marcus, Lee, Austin, and Violet are starting over. Texas is supposed to be their sanctuary. But the Constabulary isn’t ready to relinquish their worst offenders, legal jurisdiction or not. They’ve sent agents in undercover, and Marcus is the assigned target of one who has personal reasons to bring him back dead or alive.

Marcus and Lee are ready to be whole again, to secure a home here–together. But wholeness and home might not mean what they thought. Stopping the Constabulary hunters will require more than Marcus knows how to give, and God is about to use him again in a way he doesn’t expect.

Enemies, emotions, the past, the future–everything must be faced in the quest for a true haven.

Why we want to read it: Megan says, “This author’s words have been bold, entertaining, and have created a downright frightening, believable situation. What would happen if Christianity became illegal? This story explores that what-if question. There’re characters you love and ones you’ll love to hate. Can’t wait to see how this series ends, and here’s hoping that Amanda doesn’t make me cry again.”

What it’s about: Remko Brant had never been so sure of anything as escaping the Authority City with Carrington Hale. But bravado comes easy when you have nothing to lose. Now a husband, father, and the tactical leader of the Seers, Remko has never had so much at risk.

As he and his team execute increasingly dangerous rescue missions inside the city, they face growing peril from a new enemy. Recently appointed Authority President Damien Gold claims to be guiding a city shaken by rebellion into a peaceful, harmonious future. But appearances can be deceiving. In order to achieve his dangerous ambitions, Gold knows he must do more than catch the rebels―he must destroy the hope their message represents . . . from the inside out.

With dissension in his own camp―and the CityWatch soldiers closing in―Remko feels control slipping through his fingers. To protect those he loves, he must conquer his fears and defeat Gold . . . before one of them becomes his undoing.

Why we want to read it: Beth says, “While book one, The Choosing, wasn’t my favorite dystopian novel, I did find myself very intrigued with the world that Rachelle created and saw the talent of her debut. I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface of what is going on in Carrington’s world. I’m hoping that book two will go even further into the world and dynamics of the story, plus, now that Carrington and Remko have escaped the City, I have to know what happens next! Melissa adds, “There were a lot of things that I enjoyed about the The Choosing and the themes were at the top of my list. I’m looking forward to seeing how Rachelle builds on the foundations of self-worth and value as well as what other ideas she might add to the series.”

What it’s about: The gods are angry. Volcanic eruptions, sinkholes, ground shakers – everything points to their unhappiness. At least that is what the king of Armania believes. His son, Prince Wilek, thinks his father’s superstitions are nonsense, though he remains the ever dutiful heir apparent to the throne.

When a messenger arrives and claims that the town of Farway has been swallowed by the earth, the king sends Wilek to investigate. But what Wilek discovers is more cataclysmic than one lost city. Even as the ground shifts beneath his feet, Wilek sets out on a desperate journey to save his people and his world. But can he do it before the entire land crumbles?

Why we want to read it: Melissa says, “I have wanted to read Jill Williamson for some time, but I keep finding out about her next series midway through them. I am determined to catch her the beginning of this series and follow along! I’ve heard great things about her writing and am more than ready to enjoy it for myself.”

Shadows on the Wolverine by Eowyn IveyPublisher: Headline ReviewPublication Date: Early 2016Cover art currently unavailable

What it’s about: (not an official blurb, but from the author’s blog) It is a story told in journals, letters and documents about a military expedition into the heart of Alaska in 1885. It is inspired in part by a true-life military expedition that many have called the Lewis and Clark of Alaska. Along the way, the Colonel and his men encounter a mythological world they did not expect.

Why we want to read it: Beth says, “The Snow Child, Eowyn Ivey’s first novel, is one of my favorite novels. Though much of the story is steeped in historical detail, it centers on myth. So while it is not heavy on the fantasy aspect, it still has a lovely fantastical quality to it. Exquisite prose and a heartrending story quickly won me over. Shadows on the Wolverine is supposed to be placed in a similar setting and have that mythological quality that I’m hoping I can always expect from her story. Plus, I happen to love stories told through journals and letters!”

What it’s about: Lia and Rafe have escaped Venda and the path before them is winding and dangerous – what will happen now? This third and final book in The Remnant Chronicles is not to be missed.

Bestselling author Mary E. Pearson’s combination of intrigue, suspense, romance and action make this a riveting page turner for teens.

Why we want to read it: Megan says, “The second book in this series wasn’t quite as good as the first one (but to be fair, the first one was AWESOME!!!) The first book, The Heart of Betrayal, held me captive especially when the twist arrived, and I still don’t know who I want Lia to be with.”

What it’s about: Haegan fights to become the young man he never thought he’d be – and the part that he doesn’t want to be! Nations will rise against nation, unlikely allies converge as their common enemy grows in power and number. And of course, there’s a smidgen of romance and a heaping dose of war

Why we want to read it: Melissa says, “I absolutely fell in love with the characters in the first book in this series, Embers. The action was fantastic and the plot complex. It was everything I expected for a Ronie Kendig book. As is typical in a fantasy series, Embers did not have a tidy ending, and well, it’s an awfully long wait until fall 2016.”

Why we want to read it: Megan says, “The second book of this series couldn’t have ended any better (well, maybe if the bad guy was, you know, defeated, but then where would book 3 be?) I finally got what I had been yearning for, and I can’t wait to see if a happily-ever-after awaits. Because Gabby, Michael, and I need one! :-)”

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Thank you for these recommendations.
I kept reading a ton of great things recently about Nick Totem’s post-apocalyptic novel ‘AMM” and finally picked up a copy last week. I can’t stress enough what a fantastic read this book was. It is not your average run of the mill zombie thriller. This story feels real and intense. It really is on another level. The plot is unlike anything I’ve read before and I just could not put it down. Highly highly recommend reading for the dystopia and sci-fi fan.